Shadow Puppets and Shadow Play

Shadow Puppets and Shadow Play is a comprehensive guide to the design, construction and manipulation and presentation of shadow puppets, considered by many to be the oldest puppet theatre tradition. Traditional shadow play techniques, together with modern materials and methods and recent explorations into theatre of shadows, are explained with precision and clarity, and illustrated by photographs that include the work of some of the finest shadow players in the world.

Topics covered: An introduction to shadow play, its traditions and the principles of shadow puppet design. Advice on materials and methods for constructing and controlling traditional shadow puppets and scenery. Step-by-step instructions for adding detail and decoration and creating transculent figures in full-colour. Detailed methods for constructing shadow theatres and using a wide range of lighting techniques. Techniques of shadow puppet performance and contemporary explorations with shadow play. Instructions for making animated, silhouette films with digital photography.